All I Want for Christmas Is You: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00385908
$55.00
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Description
Recorded by Mariah Carey in 1994, this familiar tune has become a perennial favorite. Arranged here for vocal solo (or tenor sax) with big band, the opening rubato section is followed by a medium tempo shuffle groove. Sure to liven up any holiday concert.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00385908
More about this title
About the Arranger: Paul Murtha
Paul Murtha is a prolific arranger and composer whose work spans jazz, concert band, and commercial music contexts. His arrangements are known for balancing accessibility with musical substance, making them effective tools for teaching ensemble concepts while keeping student and audience engagement high.
Why we love this
Murtha's instinct for what works in a holiday concert is sharp here. The rubato opening gives your vocalist or lead saxophonist a chance to own the melody before the band locks into a medium shuffle, and that structural choice keeps the tune fresh rather than relying on straightforward tempo from the downbeat. Grade 3-4 arrangements of this tune aren't hard to find, but the balance between letting the soloist breathe and giving the ensemble meaningful ensemble writing makes this one worth the stand space.
What to expect
Warm, swinging, contemporary without losing the song's core appeal. The tune lives in that cheerful medium groove space where jazz sounds sophisticated but remains immediately accessible, and the rubato opening gives it a moment of intimacy before the full ensemble weight settles in.
Who it's for
Bands seeking a crowd-pleasing holiday feature that doesn't condescend to either the players or the audience. It works for vocal soloists looking to shine, and equally well for a tenor saxophonist wanting to take a featured turn.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the rubato section with attention to the vocalist's phrasing rather than metronomic precision. The band should follow, not lead.
- Once the shuffle groove begins, lock the rhythm section first (piano, bass, drums) and let the horns sit into that pocket cleanly. A rushed medium tempo shuffle sounds amateurish immediately.
- Highlight the call and response moments between the solo line and the ensemble. These need clear articulation and space to breathe.
- Keep the dynamic arc intentional throughout the arrangement. Holiday crowds expect uplift, but lazy crescendos flatten the impact.
How to use it
Slot this as a first-half feature in a winter or holiday concert to establish the festive mood without going full novelty. It pairs well with traditional carols and heavier jazz standards, bridging pop sensibility with ensemble musicianship.
Skills your students will build
- Playing with rubato and responding to a featured soloist
- Locking into a medium-tempo shuffle groove with clean ensemble articulation
- Supporting and balancing around a vocal soloist in a jazz ensemble setting
- Navigating the demands of Grade 3-4 jazz voicings and rhythmic figures